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2009 Nissan Altima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Altima years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Nissan Altima are substantially higher than the model-year median of 231.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

1,239 reports with mileage · 308 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 859 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 466 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 107 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

36 crash reports8 fire reports19 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

49 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2023
EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

I went to Autoworx on February 9, 2023 to purchase a 2009 Nissan Altima. The vehicle was very nice, looked good, no warning lights or anything. Drove great for about a week or 2. Then the car started breaking without me pressing the breaks. So I returned the car to Autoworx to have them check it out. The mechanic was assuring th…

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I went to Autoworx on February 9, 2023 to purchase a 2009 Nissan Altima. The vehicle was very nice, looked good, no warning lights or anything. Drove great for about a week or 2. Then the car started breaking without me pressing the breaks. So I returned the car to Autoworx to have them check it out. The mechanic was assuring that the problem had been taking care of. After making another large payment that day, I left drove the car about a week. That's when the car started shaking. I mean shaking hard too and the SERVICE ENGINE SOON light comes on the dash board. So I take the car back to them on Monday March 13, 2023. The mechanic says "oh, make an appointment for Friday and I'll take the car to the shop so I can see what is going on". I made the appointment & continued to drive the car. In the days between Monday to Friday, the car began shaking harder. Suddenly, on Thursday March 16, 2023,while driving home the car stops accelerating. I had to keep turning the car off and on to get it going. On Friday, March 17, 2023 I arrived at the Autoworx location at 10:30am (the appointment time). When I arrived no one was there. We sat and waited for nearly an hr and a half. Once they arrived they looked at the car, drove it away and came back. After sitting there for 2/3 hours, the Owner [XXX] called me outside to inform me that the Catalytic Converter was bad (which they knew on Monday when I came in) and by me driving the car longer, the Transmission has went out. At this point I am FURIOUS! Because at NO point did they tell me that the car needed a Catalytic Converter. So we sat there a little longer with no way to go home. [XXX] then comes and mentions "I'll get you all an UBER". He ordered the Uber (just to get us away). I have looked into the Carfax on the 2009 Nissan Altima and found that the Odometer had been rolled back SEVERAL times. I bought the car at 121,000 miles. After, looking at the Carfax the car has darn near 300,000 miles on it. I got ripped off ❗ INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF I

NHTSA ODI #11512721

165,000 miles · Mar 16, 2021
Service BrakesUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

A NIGHTMARE WHILE AWAKE. WHILE BACKING OUT OF A BANK PARKING LOT I HIT A POLE LIGHTLY. I STOPPED THE CAR BEFORE SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. WHEN I ACCELERATED THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AT A FAST SPEED. I TRIED BRAKING BUT THE CAR KEPT GOING FORWARD SLAMMING INTO THE BACK OF A PARKED SUV WITH THE DRIVER INSIDE PUSHING IT FROM THE PARKING…

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A NIGHTMARE WHILE AWAKE. WHILE BACKING OUT OF A BANK PARKING LOT I HIT A POLE LIGHTLY. I STOPPED THE CAR BEFORE SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. WHEN I ACCELERATED THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AT A FAST SPEED. I TRIED BRAKING BUT THE CAR KEPT GOING FORWARD SLAMMING INTO THE BACK OF A PARKED SUV WITH THE DRIVER INSIDE PUSHING IT FROM THE PARKING SPACE UP ONTO THE SIDE WALK. AND SIDE SWIPING A PARKED TRUCK PUSHING IT INTO THE SUV PASSENGER SIDE.. THE ACCELERATION WAS SO GREAT I AM SO MY CAR IS TOTALED. I AM PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONAL SICKEN BY THIS AND THE DAMAGES CAUSED FROM SOMETHING NISSAN COULD HAVE PREVENT BY FIXING THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS STILL TRYING GO AFTER BEING STOPPED BY THE VEHICLE I HIT AND MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE LADY FROM THE BANK TOLD ME TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THAT STOPPED THE CAR. I COULD NOT GET THE CAR OUT OF DRIVE MODE AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND HAD TO SHUT IT DOWN IN DRIVE MODE. THIS WAS A SCENE OUT OF A HORROR SHOW. IT HAPPENED IN SPRINGFIELD MA AWAY FROM MY HOME. I AM GLAD THE INJURIES ARE NOT FATAL AS ONE INCIDENT WAS.

NHTSA ODI #11403185

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2020
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

MY CVT TRANSMISSION BELT BROKE BUT BEFORE THIS HAPPENED MY SPEED SENSOR WAS FAILING AND ALSO MY STEP MOTOR I'VE HAD THIS CAR FOR 2 YEARS WITH VERY LITTLE PROBLEMS ALSO THE CAR IS STUCK IN NEUTRAL.

NHTSA ODI #11362623

74,000 miles · Sep 2, 2020
Electrical SystemSteeringVehicle Speed Control

WHILE IN MOTION AND MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO AN INTERSECTION MY STEERING WHEEL WAS MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTINUE TURNING LEFT AND THEN IT LOCKED. WAS GOING TO HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER BETWEEN ROAD AND SIDEWALK WHERE PEDESTRIANS WALK, HAD TO HIT THE BRAKES TO PREVENT A CRASH. AFTER A COUPLE OF SECONDS THE CAR ILUMINATED ALL T…

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WHILE IN MOTION AND MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO AN INTERSECTION MY STEERING WHEEL WAS MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTINUE TURNING LEFT AND THEN IT LOCKED. WAS GOING TO HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER BETWEEN ROAD AND SIDEWALK WHERE PEDESTRIANS WALK, HAD TO HIT THE BRAKES TO PREVENT A CRASH. AFTER A COUPLE OF SECONDS THE CAR ILUMINATED ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE DASH AND TOLD ME THE CAR WAS OFF. I WAS ABLE TO TURN ON THE CAR, THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED AND WAS ABLE TO GO IN REVERSE A BIT TO COMPLETE MY LEFT TURN. HAD A SIMILAR SCENARIO MANY YEARS AGO WHEN FIRST PURCHASING THE CAR, WHEN ACCELERATING IN THE HIGHWAY ND DRIVING STRAIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING BECAUSE THE GAS PEDAL LOCKED, COULDNT TURN TGE STEERIBG WHEEL AT ALL. FELT AS IF THE CAR TURNED ITSELF OF EVEN THOUGH CAR ELECTRONICS WERE ON SUCH AS THE RADIO. SECONDS LATER THE LIGHTS ILUMINATED IN THE DASH AND WAS ABLE TO TURN ON THE CAR AND STEERIBG WHEEL UNLOCKED. BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALER BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES, SO THEY DECIDED TO RESTART THE COMPUTER AND DID NOT HAVE THE PROBLEM AGAIN UNTIL LAST THURSDAY WHERE IT TURNED OFF ON ME WHILE TURNING. EXRREMELY DANGEROUS AND CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11352888

145,354 miles · Aug 12, 2020
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN DRIVING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME IN HEAT, THE CAR LOSES SPEED AND BEGINS TO DROP ON ITS OWN. AND IF UTILIZING MANUAL, THE GEARS WON'T DOWNSHIFT. I'VE HAD TO PULL OVER NUMEROUS TIMES AND WAIT ABOUT 15 MINS BEFORE DRIVING AGAIN AND IT'S FINE. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAR NEEDS A TRANSMISSION COOLER KIT INSTALLED. I'VE SEEN NUMEROU…

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WHEN DRIVING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME IN HEAT, THE CAR LOSES SPEED AND BEGINS TO DROP ON ITS OWN. AND IF UTILIZING MANUAL, THE GEARS WON'T DOWNSHIFT. I'VE HAD TO PULL OVER NUMEROUS TIMES AND WAIT ABOUT 15 MINS BEFORE DRIVING AGAIN AND IT'S FINE. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAR NEEDS A TRANSMISSION COOLER KIT INSTALLED. I'VE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS ISSUE AND WONDER WHY A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN DONE ON THIS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND THE CAR SUDDENLY LOSES SPEED. DATE LISTED BELOW IS THE LAST TIME THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED. BUT, HAS HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY A YEAR AGO ON A TRIP AND RECENTLY PRIOR TO LAST TIME, A MONTH AGO.

NHTSA ODI #11348772

140,000 miles · Oct 8, 2019
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

DRIVING THE HIGHWAY 75 MILES HOUR AND HAVE THE ACCELERATOR NOT RESPONSE. WAS TOLD CVT TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING GOING INTO SAFE MOOD CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLOW AND ACCELERATOR NOT RESPONDING. BARELY PULLING OFF THE HIGHWAY AND WAITING TO HAVE CONTROL AGAIN. WAS TOLD THAT A RADIATOR FOR THE TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. SCARED TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11267008

160,000 miles · Aug 30, 2019
Power TrainUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

ON MORE THEN ONE OCCASION WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY FOR ABOUT 45 MIN. THE ACCELERATION SPEED DROPS TO ABOUT 40 MPH. AND WHEN GOING ON HILLS ITS EVEN WORSE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME NOW, BUT NOW I HAVE A SECOND ALTIMA THAT IS HAVING VERY SIMILAR ISSUES. AFTER SITTING ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY FOR A HOUR, THE CAR RE…

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ON MORE THEN ONE OCCASION WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY FOR ABOUT 45 MIN. THE ACCELERATION SPEED DROPS TO ABOUT 40 MPH. AND WHEN GOING ON HILLS ITS EVEN WORSE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME NOW, BUT NOW I HAVE A SECOND ALTIMA THAT IS HAVING VERY SIMILAR ISSUES. AFTER SITTING ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY FOR A HOUR, THE CAR RETURNS TO NORMAL. THIS CAN NOT BE A NORMAL PROBLEM, I HAVE SEARCHED AND FOUND THAT A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD VERY SIMILAR ISSUES AND IN FACT I RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT 2014-2018 NISSANS WHERE HAVING ACCELERATION ISSUES. ( I HAVE ATTACHED THE LETTER) I HAVE 2 CARS NOW THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AND I CAN NOT AFFORD TO FIX THEM, ESPECIALLY IF I AM NOT 100% SURE WHAT THE CORRECTION IS. I HAVE ALSO ATTACHED COPIES OF OTHERS THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUES, AND YOU WILL SEE THAT SOME HAVE TRIED TO FIX BUT GET DIFFERENT RESPONSES ON THE FIX. PLEASE HELP!! THANKS

NHTSA ODI #11252521

98,000 miles · Aug 30, 2019
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

MY GRANDSON AND I WERE TAKING A 2 AND 1/2 HOUR TRIP TO VISIT FAMILY I WAS DRIVING ABOUT AN HOUR ON THE FREEWAY GOING ON AN UPHILL AND I BEGAN TO HEAR A WHINING SOUND AND MY SPEED STARTED TO DECREASE FROM 70 THEN TO 60 AND IT STARTED TO DECREASE MORE SO I THEN GOT OFF THE FREEWAY TURNED OFF THE CAR AND WAITED ABOUT A HALF AN HOUR…

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MY GRANDSON AND I WERE TAKING A 2 AND 1/2 HOUR TRIP TO VISIT FAMILY I WAS DRIVING ABOUT AN HOUR ON THE FREEWAY GOING ON AN UPHILL AND I BEGAN TO HEAR A WHINING SOUND AND MY SPEED STARTED TO DECREASE FROM 70 THEN TO 60 AND IT STARTED TO DECREASE MORE SO I THEN GOT OFF THE FREEWAY TURNED OFF THE CAR AND WAITED ABOUT A HALF AN HOUR I THEN DECIDED THAT IT WOULD NOT BE SAFE TO CONTINUE MY TRIP BUT THE LOCATION THAT I WAS IN WAS NOT A SAFE AREA FOR ME AND MY GRANDSON TO WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK I THEN DECIDED TO HEAD BACK ONE EXIT DOWN WHERE THEY WOULD BE MORE LIGHTING THE CAR DROVE FINE I WAS ABLE TO PICK UP SPEED WITH NO PROBLEM BUT AGAIN I THOUGHT IT WOULD NOT BE SAFE TO CONTINUE DRIVING SO I THEN CALL THE TOW TRUCK AND HOW DOES TOW BACK HOME WHAT I DID NOTICE WAS WHEN I ACCELERATE THE GAS PEDAL THE ENGINE DID NOT REV AT A HIGHER LEVEL NOR DID THE SPEED INCREASE BUT TO MY LITTLE KNOWLEDGE WITH CARS IT WAS TELLING ME IT WASN'T THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, PRESSING THE ACCELERATER AND NOT HEARING YOUR ENGINE ACCELERATE BUT CAR IS STILL MOVING BUT LOWER SPEED JUST DID NOT MAKE SENSE TO ME. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT IT WAS MID AFTERNOON ON A FREEWAY THAT COMMUTERS OFTEN USE I WAS LUCKY THAT THE OFF RAMP WAS NEAR FOR ME TO EXIT.

NHTSA ODI #11252491

20 miles · Jul 27, 2019
EngineStructureVehicle Speed Control

IT WON'T START MOST OF THE TIME AND WHEN IT DOES IT'LL ONLY LET ME GET UP TO MAYBE 20MPH AND THAT'S IT

NHTSA ODI #11235322

206,143 miles · Jun 22, 2019
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 1.5 HOURS ON A FAMILY TRIP AND ON THE INTERSTATE MY CAR SLOWED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO FROM SPEEDS OF 60 -70MPH TO BARELY NOT MOVING AT ALL. CLEARLY THIS FRIGHTEN MY ENTIRE FAMILY. AFTER RESTING ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE FOR ALMOST AN HOUR THE CAR RESUMED BUT STARTED TO REPEAT THE SAME PATTERN. IT ALS…

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AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 1.5 HOURS ON A FAMILY TRIP AND ON THE INTERSTATE MY CAR SLOWED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO FROM SPEEDS OF 60 -70MPH TO BARELY NOT MOVING AT ALL. CLEARLY THIS FRIGHTEN MY ENTIRE FAMILY. AFTER RESTING ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE FOR ALMOST AN HOUR THE CAR RESUMED BUT STARTED TO REPEAT THE SAME PATTERN. IT ALSO BARELY PULLED UP A HILL. THIS CAR HAS DONE THIS BEFORE AND THE NISSIAN DEALERSHIP STATED THAT IT COULD NEED A TUNE UP. SO BEFORE GOING ON THE FAMILY VACATION LISTED ABOVE I HAD A TUNE UP AND OIL CHANGE DONE BUT GUESS WHAT. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.

NHTSA ODI #11221827

Official recalls

4

10V401000 · Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System)

Sep 10, 2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

09V358000 · Suspension

Sep 16, 2009

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 ALTIMA AND MAXIMA PASSENGER CARS. THE UPPER FRONT STRUT INSULATORS MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL FOR THE STRUT INSULATOR TO CRACK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE STRUT INSULATOR IS CRACKED, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE STRUT ROD TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION, WHICH COULD AFFECT VEHICLE STABILITY AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE FRONT STRUT INSULATORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-NISSAN1 (1-800-647-7261).

09V006000 · Structure:body:door

Jan 9, 2009

NISSAN IS RECALLING 225 MY 2009 ALTIMA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 214, "SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION WELD ON THE DOOR ASSEMBLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy: ALL THE AFFECTED VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BROUGHT BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIPS AND REMEDIED AT THE FACTORY. NO VEHICLES HAD BEEN RETAILED.

08V464000 · Wheels

Sep 15, 2008

NISSAN IS RECALLING 3,403 MY 2009 ALTIMA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 16-INCH ALLOY WHEELS. SOME THESE WHEELS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THIS COULD CAUSE ONE OR MORE OF THE FIVE LUG NUTS ATTACHING THE WHEEL TO THE VEHICLE TO BECOME LOOSE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE LUG NUTS BECOME LOOSE, IT COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE IF IT IS EQUIPPED WITH ONE OF THE AFFECTED WHEELS. IF IT IS, THE WHEELS WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW ONES THAT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO THE CORRECT SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING SEPTEMBER 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Nissan Altima problems